Zeolite SSZ-37

ABSTRACT

A crystalline zeolite SSZ-37 is prepared using a N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2,6) ] undec-8-ene cation as a template wherein said zeolite is used in hydrocarbon conversion processes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Natural and synthetic zeolitic crystalline aluminosilicates are useful as catalysts and adsorbents. These aluminosilicates have distinct crystal structures which are demonstrated by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure defines cavities and pores which are characteristic of the different species. The adsorptive and catalytic properties of each crystalline aluminosilicate are determined in part by the dimensions of its pores and cavities. Thus, the utility of a particular zeolite in a particular application depends at least partly on its crystal structure.

Because of their unique molecular sieving characteristics, as well as their catalytic properties, crystalline aluminosilicates are especially useful in such applications as gas drying and separation and hydrocarbon conversion. Though many different crystalline aluminosilicates and silicates have been disclosed, there is a continuing need for new zeolites and silicates with desirable properties for gas separation and drying, hydrocarbon and chemical conversions, and other applications.

Crystalline aluminosilicates are usually prepared from aqueous reaction mixtures containing alkali or alkaline earth metal oxides, silica, and alumina. "Nitrogenous zeolites" have been prepared from reaction mixtures containing an organic templating agent, usually a nitrogen-containing organic cation. By varying the synthesis conditions and the composition of the reaction mixture, different zeolites can be formed using the same templating agent. Use of N,N,N-trimethyl cyclopentylammonium iodide in the preparation of Zeolite SSZ-15 molecular sieve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,854; use of 1-azoniaspiro [4.4] nonyl bromide and N,N,N-trimethyl neopentylammonium iodide in the preparation of a molecular sieve termed "Losod" is disclosed in Helv. Chim. Acta (1974); Vol. 57, page 1533 (W. Sieber and W. M. Meier); use of quinuclidinium compounds to prepare a zeolite termed "NU-3" is disclosed in European Patent Publication No. 40016; use of 1,ω-di(1-azoniabicyclo [2.2.2.]octane) lower alkyl compounds in the preparation of Zeolite SSZ-16 molecular sieve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,837; use of N,N,N-trialkylammonio-1-adamantane in the preparation of Zeolite SSZ-13 molecular sieve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,538.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I have prepared a family of crystalline aluminosilicate molecular sieves with unique properties, referred to herein as "Zeolite SSZ-37", or simply "SSZ-37", and have found a highly effective method for preparing SSZ-37.

SSZ-37 has a mole ratio of an oxide selected from silicon oxide, germanium oxide, and mixtures thereof to an oxide selected from aluminum oxide, gallium oxide, iron oxide, and mixtures thereof in the range of 25:1 to 400:1, and having the X-ray diffraction lines of Table 1 below. The zeolite further has a composition, as synthesized and in the anhydrous state, in terms of mole ratios of oxides as follows: (0.5 to 10)Q₂ O:(0.1 to 5)M₂ O:W₂ O₃ :(25 to 400)YO₂ wherein M is an alkali metal cation, W is selected from aluminum, boron, gallium, iron, and mixtures thereof, Y is selected from silicon, germanium and mixtures thereof, and Q is an N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2,6) ] undec-8-ene cation. SSZ-37 zeolites can have a YO₂ :W₂ O₃ mole ratio in the range of 25 to 400 As prepared, the silica:alumina mole ratio is typically in the range of 50:1 to about 200:1. Higher mole ratios can be obtained by treating the zeolite with chelating agents or acids to extract aluminum from the zeolite lattice. This includes reagents such as (NH₄)₂ SiF₆ or acidic ion exchange resins The silica:alumina mole ratio can also be increased by using silicon and carbon halides and other similar compounds. Preferably, SSZ-37 is an aluminosilicate wherein W is aluminum and Y is silicon.

My invention also involves a method for preparing SSZ-37 zeolites, comprising preparing an aqueous mixture containing sources of an N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0(2.6)]undec-8-ene cation, an oxide selected from aluminum oxide, boron oxide, gallium oxide, iron oxide, and mixtures thereof, and an oxide selected from silicon oxide, germanium oxide, and mixtures thereof, and having a composition, in terms of mole ratios of oxides, falling within the following ranges: YO₂ /W₂ O₃, 25:1 to 400:1; and Q/YO₂, 0.1:1 to 0.3:1; wherein Y is selected from silicon, germanium, and mixtures thereof, W is selected from aluminum, gallium, iron, and mixtures thereof, and Q is an N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2.6) ] undec-8-ene cation; maintaining the mixture at a temperature of at least 100° C. until the crystals of said zeolite are formed; and recovering said crystals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

SSZ-37 zeolites, as synthesized, have a crystalline structure whose X-ray powder diffraction pattern shows the following characteristic lines:

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         2 θ     d/n     100 × I/I.sub.o                                    ______________________________________                                         6.95          12.72    2                                                       7.77          11.38   62                                                       8.22          10.76   18                                                       10.47         8.45     4                                                       19.09         4.649   34                                                       20.05         4.428   24                                                       20.30         4.374   100                                                      22.14         4.015   74                                                       22.54         3.945   35                                                       23.61         3.768   25                                                       25.88         3.443   28                                                       26.53         3.360   22                                                       27.08         3.293   52                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Typical SSZ-37 aluminosilicate zeolites have the X-ray diffraction pattern of Tables 3 and 4.

The X-ray powder diffraction patterns were determined by standard techniques. The radiation was the K-alpha/doublet of copper and a scintillation counter spectrometer with a strip-chart pen recorder was used. The peak heights I and the positions, as a function of 2 θ where θ is the Bragg angle, were read from the spectrometer chart. From these measured values, the relative intensities, 100I/I_(o), where I_(o) is the intensity of the strongest line or peak, and d, the interplanar spacing in Angstroms corresponding to the recorded lines, can be calculated. The X-ray diffraction pattern of Table 1 is characteristic of SSZ-37 zeolites. The zeolite produced by exchanging the metal or other cations present in the zeolite with various other cations yields substantially the same diffraction pattern although there can be minor shifts in interplanar spacing and minor variations in relative intensity. Minor variations in the diffraction pattern can also result from variations in the organic compound used in the preparation and from variations in the silica-to-alumina mole ratio from sample to sample. Calcination can also cause minor shifts in the X-ray diffraction pattern. Notwithstanding these minor perturbations, the basic crystal lattice structure remains unchanged.

After calcination, the SSZ-37 zeolites have a crystalline structure whose X-ray powder diffraction pattern shows the following characteristic lines as indicated in Table 2 below:

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         2 θ     d/n     100 × I/I.sub.o                                    ______________________________________                                         7.02          12.59   13                                                       7.87          11.23   100                                                      8.29          10.67   45                                                       10.54         8.39    26                                                       19.24         4.613   39                                                       20.49         4.334   55                                                       22.32         3.983   41                                                       22.68         3.921   18                                                       23.88         3.726   16                                                       26.03         3.423   18                                                       26.72         3.336   14                                                       27.25         3.273   36                                                       ______________________________________                                    

SSZ 37 zeolites can be suitably prepared from an aqueous solution containing sources of an alkali metal oxide, an N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5 2.2.0 .sup.(2,6) ] undec-8-ene cation, an oxide of aluminum, boron, gallium, iron, or mixtures thereof, and an oxide of silicon or germanium, or mixture of the two. The reaction mixture should have a composition in terms of mole ratios falling within the following ranges:

    ______________________________________                                                       Broad  Preferred                                                 ______________________________________                                         YO.sub.2 /W.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                       25-400   50-200                                               OH.sup.- /YO.sub.2                                                                             0.10-0.50                                                                               0.20-0.30                                             Q/YO.sub.2      0.10-0.30                                                                               0.15-0.25                                             M.sup.+ /YO.sub.2                                                                              0.01-0.30                                                                               0.05-0.15                                             H.sub.2 O/YO.sub.2                                                                             15-50    20-35                                                 ______________________________________                                    

wherein Q is an N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2.6) ] undec-8-ene cation, Y is silicon, germanium or both, and W is aluminum, boron, gallium, iron, or mixture thereof. M is an alkali metal ion, preferably sodium. Anions which are associated with the organic cation are those Which are not detrimental to the formation of the zeolite.

The N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2.6) ] undec-8-ene cation component Q, of the crystallization mixture, is preferably derived from a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Aθ is an anion which is not detrimental to the formation of the zeolite. Representative of the anions include halogen e.g., fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide, hydroxide, acetate, sulfate, tetrafluoroborate, carboxylate, and the like. Hydroxide is the most preferred anion.

The reaction mixture is prepared using standard zeolitic preparation techniques. Typical sources of aluminum oxide for the reaction mixture include aluminates, alumina, and aluminum compounds such as AlCl₃, Al₂ (SO₄)₃, hydrated Al(OH)₃ gels, kaolin clays, colloidal aluminas, and other zeolites. Typical sources of silicon oxide include silicates, silica hydrogel silicic acid, colloidal silica, fumed silicas, tetraalkyl orthosilicates, and silica hydroxides. Gallium, iron boron and germanium can be added in forms corresponding to their aluminum and silicon counterparts.

The reaction mixture is maintained at an elevated temperature until the crystals of the zeolite are formed. The temperatures during the hydrothermal crystallization step are typically maintained from about 140° C. to about 200° C., preferably from about 150° C. to about 180° C., and most preferably from about 150° C. to about 170° C. The crystallization period is typically greater than 1 day and preferably from about 5 days to about 20 days.

Preferably the zeolite is prepared using mild stirring or agitation.

The hydrothermal crystallization is conducted under pressure and usually in an autoclave so that the reaction mixture is subject to autogenous pressure. The reaction mixture can be stirring during crystallization.

Once the zeolite crystals have formed, the solid product is separated from the reaction mixture by standard mechanical separation techniques such as filtration. The crystals are water-washed and then dried, e.g., at 90° C. to 150° C. for from 8 to 24 hours, to obtain the as-synthesized, SSZ-37 zeolite crystals. The drying step can be performed at atmospheric or subatmospheric pressures.

During the hydrothermal crystallization step, the SSZ-37 crystals can be allowed to nucleate spontaneously from the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture can also be seeded with SSZ-37 crystals both to direct, and accelerate the crystallization, as well as to minimize the formation of undesired aluminosilicate contaminants. If the reaction mixture is seeded with SSZ-37 crystals, the concentration of the organic compound may be reduced.

The synthetic SSZ-37 zeolites can be used as synthesized or can be thermally treated (calcined). Usually, it is desirable to remove the alkali metal cation by ion exchange and replace it with hydrogen, ammonium, or any desired metal ion. The zeolite can be leached with chelating agents, e.g., EDTA or dilute acid solutions, to increase the silica:alumina mole ratio. These methods may also include the use of (NH₄)₂ SiF₆ or acidic ion exchange resin treatment. The zeolite can also be steamed; steaming helps stabilize the crystalline lattice to attack from acids. The zeolite can be used in intimate combination with hydrogenating components, such as tungsten, vanadium, molybdenum, rhenium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, or a noble metal, such as palladium or platinum, for those applications in which a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation function is desired. Typical replacing cations can include metal cations, e.g., rare earth, Group IA, Group IIA and Group VIII metals, as well as their mixtures. Of the replacing metallic cations, cations of metals such as rare earth, Mn, Ca, Mg, Zn, Ga, Cd, Pt, Pd, Ni, Co, Ti, Al, Sn, Fe and Co are particularly preferred.

The hydrogen, ammonium, and metal components can be exchanged into the zeolite. The zeolite can also be impregnated with the metals, or the metals can be physically intimately admixed with the zeolite using standard methods known to the art. And, the metals can be occluded in the crystal lattice by having desired metals present as ions in the reaction mixture from which the SSZ-37 zeolite is prepared.

Typical ion exchange techniques involve contacting the synthetic zeolite with a solution containing a salt of the desired replacing cation or cations. Although a wide variety of salts can be employed, chlorides and other halides, nitrates, acetates, and sulfates are particularly preferred. Representative ion exchange techniques are disclosed in a wide variety of patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,140,249; 3,140,251; and 3,140,253. Ion exchange can take place either before or after the zeolite is calcined.

Following contact with the salt solution of the desired replacing cation, the zeolite is typically washed with water and dried at temperatures ranging from 65° C. to about 315° C. After washing, the zeolite can be calcined in air or inert gas at temperatures ranging from about 200° C. to 820° C. for periods of time ranging from 1 to 48 hours, or more, to produce a catalytically active product especially useful in hydrocarbon conversion processes.

Regardless of the cations present in the synthesized form of the zeolite, the spatial arrangement of the atoms which form the basic crystal lattice of the zeolite remains essentially unchanged. The exchange of cations has little, if any, effect on the zeolite lattice structures.

The SSZ-37 aluminosilicate can be formed into a wide variety of physical shapes. Generally speaking, the zeolite can be in the form of a powder, a granule, or a molded product, such as extrudate having particle size sufficient to pass through a 2-mesh (Tyler) screen and be retained on a 400-mesh (Tyler) screen. In cases where the catalyst is molded, such as by extrusion with an organic binder, the aluminosilicate can be extruded before drying, or, dried or partially dried and then extruded.

The Zeolite can be composited with other materials resistant to the temperatures and other conditions employed in organic conversion processes. Such matrix materials include active and inactive materials and synthetic or naturally occurring zeolites as well as inorganic materials such as clays, silica and metal oxides. The latter may occur naturally or may be in the form of gelatinous precipitates, sols, or gels, including mixtures of silica and metal oxides. Use of an active material in conjunction with the synthetic zeolite, i.e., combined with it, tends to improve the conversion and selectivity of the catalyst in certain organic conversion processes. Inactive materials can suitably serve as diluents to control the amount of conversion in a given process so that products can be obtained economically without using other means for controlling the rate of reaction. Frequently, zeolite materials have been incorporated into naturally occurring clays, e.g., bentonite and kaolin. These materials, i.e., clays, oxides, etc., function, in part, as binders for the catalyst. It is desirable to provide a catalyst having good crush strength, because in petroleum refining the catalyst is often subjected to rough handling. This tends to break the catalyst down into powders which cause problems in processing.

Naturally occurring clays which can be composited with the synthetic zeolites of this invention include the montmorillonite and kaolin families, which families include the sub-bentonites and the kaolins commonly known as Dixie, McNamee, Georgia and Florida clays or others in which the main mineral constituent is halloysite, kaolinite, dickite, nacrite, or anauxite. Fibrous clays such as sepiolite and attapulgite can also be used as supports. Such clays can be used in the raw state as originally mined or can be initially subjected to calcination, acid treatment or chemical modification.

In addition to the foregoing materials, the SSZ-37 zeolites can be composited with porous matrix materials and mixtures of matrix materials such as silica, alumina, titania, magnesia, silica:alumina, silica-magnesia, silica-zirconia, silica-thoria, silica-beryllia, silica-titania, titania-zirconia as well as ternary compositions such as silica-alumina-thoria, silica-alumina-zirconia, silica-alumina-magnesia and silica-magnesia-zirconia. The matrix can be in the form of a cogel.

The SSZ-37 zeolites can also be composited with other zeolites such as synthetic and natural faujasites (e.g., X and Y), erionites, and mordenites. They can also be composited with purely synthetic zeolites such as those of the ZSM, EU, FU, MCM, and NU series. The combination of zeolites can also be composited in a porous inorganic matrix.

SSZ-37 zeolites are useful in hydrocarbon conversion reactions. Hydrocarbon conversion reactions are chemical and catalytic processes in which carbon containing compounds are changed to different carbon containing compounds. Examples of hydrocarbon conversion reactions include catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, dewaxing, and olefin and aromatics formation reactions. The catalysts are useful in other petroleum refining and hydrocarbon conversion reactions such as isomerizing n-paraffins and naphthenes, polymerizing and oligomerizing olefinic or acetylenic compounds such as isobutylene and butene-1, reforming, alkylating, isomerizing polyalkyl substituted aromatics (e.g., metaxylene), and disproportionating aromatics (e.g., toluene) to provide mixtures of benzene, xylenes and higher methylbenzenes. The SSZ-37 catalysts have high selectivity, and under hydrocarbon conversion conditions can provide a high percentage of desired products relative to total products.

SSZ-37 zeolites can be used in processing hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks. Hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks contain carbon compounds and can be from many different sources, such as virgin petroleum fractions, recycle petroleum fractions, shale oil, liquefied coal, tar sand oil, and, in general, can be any carbon containing fluid susceptible to zeolitic catalytic reactions. Depending on the type of processing the hydrocarbonaceous feed is to undergo, the feed can contain metal or be free of metals, it can also have high or low nitrogen or sulfur impurities. It can be appreciated, however, that in general processing will be more efficient (and the catalyst more active) the lower the metal, nitrogen, and sulfur content of the feedstock.

The conversion of hydrocarbonaceous feeds can take place in any convenient mode, for example, in fluidized bed, moving bed, or fixed bed reactors depending on the types of process desired. The formulation of the catalyst particles will vary depending on the conversion process and method of operation.

Other reactions which can be performed using the catalyst of this invention containing a metal, e.g., a Group VIII metal such platinum, include hydrogenation-dehydrogenation reactions, denitrogenation and desulfurization reactions.

SSZ-37 can be used in a hydrocarbon conversion reactions with active or inactive supports, with organic or inorganic binders, and with and without added metals. These reactions are well known to the art, as are the reaction conditions.

Using SSZ-37 catalyst which contains a hydrogenation promoter, heavy petroleum residual feedstocks, cyclic stocks and other hydrocrackate charge stocks can be hydrocracked at hydrocracking conditions including a temperature in the range of from 175° C. to 485° C., molar ratios of hydrogen to hydrocarbon charge from 1 to 100, a pressure in the range of from 0.5 to 350 bar, and a liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) in the range of from 0.1 to 30.

The hydrocracking catalysts contain an effective amount of at least one hydrogenation catalyst (component) of the type commonly employed in hydrocracking catalysts. The hydrogenation component is generally selected from the group of hydrogenation catalysts consisting of one or more metals of Group VIB and Group VIII, including the salts, complexes and solutions containing such. The hydrogenation catalyst is preferably selected from the group of metals, salts and complexes thereof of the group consisting of at least one of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium and mixtures thereof or the group consisting of at least one of nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, tungsten, titanium, chromium and mixtures thereof. Reference to the catalytically active metal or metals is intended to encompass such metal or metals in the elemental state or in some form such as an oxide, sulfide, halide, carboxylate and the like.

The hydrogenation catalyst is present in an effective amount to provide the hydrogenation function of the hydrocracking catalyst, and preferably in the range of from 0.05 to 25% by weight.

The catalyst may be employed in conjunction with traditional hydrocracking catalysts, e.g., any aluminosilicate heretofore employed as a component in hydrocracking catalysts. Representative of the zeolitic aluminosilicates disclosed heretofore as employable as component parts of hydrocracking catalysts are Zeolite Y (including steam stabilized, e.g., ultra-stable Y), Zeolite X, Zeolite beta (U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,069), Zeolite ZK-20 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,727), Zeolite ZSM-3 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,736), faujasite, LZ-10 (U.K. patent 2,014,970, Jun. 9, 1982), ZSM-5-type zeolites, e.g., ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-38, ZSM-48, crystalline silicates such as silicalite (U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,724), erionite, mordenite, offretite, chabazite, FU-i-type zeolite, NU-type zeolites, LZ-210-type zeolite and mixtures thereof. Traditional cracking catalysts containing amounts of Na₂ O less than about one percent by weight are generally preferred. The relative amounts of the SSZ-37 component and traditional hydrocracking component, if any, will depend at least in part, on the selected hydrocarbon feedstock and on the desired product distribution to be obtained therefrom, but in all instances an effective amount of SSZ-37 is employed. When a traditional hydrocracking catalyst (THC) component is employed, the relative weight ratio of the THC to the SSZ-37 is generally between about 1:10 and about 500:1, desirably between about 1:10 and about 200:1, preferably between about 1:2 and about 50:1, and most preferably is between about 1:1 and about 20:1.

The hydrocracking catalysts are typically employed with an inorganic oxide matrix component which may be any of the inorganic oxide matrix components which have been employed heretofore in the formulation of hydrocracking catalysts including: amorphous catalytic inorganic oxides, e.g., catalytically active silica-aluminas, clays, silicas, aluminas, silica-aluminas, silica-zirconias, silica-magnesias, alumina-borias, alumina-titanias and the like and mixtures thereof. The traditional hydrocracking catalyst and SSZ-37 may be mixed separately with the matrix component and then mixed or the THC component and SSZ-37 may be mixed and then formed with the matrix component.

SSZ-37 can be used to dewax hydrocarbonaceous feeds by selectively removing straight chain paraffins. The catalytic dewaxing conditions are dependent in large measure on the feed used and upon the desired pour point. Generally, the temperature will be between about 200° C. and about 475° C., preferably between about 250° C. and about 450° C.

The pressure is typically between about 15 psig and about 3000 psig, preferably between about 200 psig and 3000 psig. The liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) preferably will be from 0.1 to 20, preferably between about 0.2 and about 10.

Hydrogen is preferably present in the reaction zone during the catalytic dewaxing process. The hydrogen to feed ratio is typically between about 500 and about 30,000 SCF/bbl (standard cubic feet per barrel), preferably about 1000 to about 20,000 SCF/bbl. Generally, hydrogen will be separated from the product and recycled to the reaction zone. Typical feedstocks include light gas oil, heavy gas oils and reduced crudes boiling about 350° F.

The SSZ-37 hydrodewaxing catalyst may optionally contain a hydrogenation component of the type commonly employed in dewaxing catalysts. The hydrogenation component may be selected from the group of hydrogenation catalysts consisting of one or more metals of Group VIB and Group VIII, including the salts, complexes and solutions containing such metals. The preferred hydrogenation catalyst is at least one of the group of metals, salts and complexes selected from the group consisting of at least one of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium and mixtures thereof or at least one from the group consisting of nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, tungsten, titanium, chromium and mixtures thereof. Reference to the catalytically active metal or metals is intended to encompass such metal or metals in the elemental state or in some form such as an oxide, sulfide, halide, carboxylate and the like.

The hydrogenation component is present in an effective amount to provide an effective hydrodewaxing and hydroisomerization catalyst preferably in the range of from about 0.05 to 5% by weight.

SSZ-37 can be used to convert light straight run naphthas and similar mixtures to highly aromatic mixtures. Thus, normal and slightly branched chained hydrocarbons, preferably having a boiling range above about 40° C. and less than about 200° C., can be converted to products having a substantial higher octane aromatics content by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with the zeolite at a temperature in the range of from about 400° C. to 600° C., preferably 480° C. to 550° C. at pressures ranging from atmospheric to 10 bar, and liquid hourly space velocities (LHSV) ranging from 0.1 to 15.

The conversion catalyst preferably contains a Group VIII metal compound to have sufficient activity for commercial use. By Group VIII metal compound as used herein is meant the metal itself or a compound thereof. The Group VIII noble metals and their compounds, platinum, palladium, and iridium, or combinations thereof can be used. Rhenium or tin or a mixture thereof may also be used in conjunction with the Group VIII metal compound and preferably a noble metal compound. The most preferred metal is platinum. The amount of Group VIII metal present in the conversion catalyst should be within the normal range of use in reforming catalysts, from about 0.05 to 2.0 weight percent, preferably 0.2 to 0.8 weight percent.

The zeolite/Group VIII metal conversion catalyst can be used without a binder or matrix. The preferred inorganic matrix, where one is used, is a silica-based binder such as Cab-O-Sil or Ludox. Other matrices such as magnesia and titania can be used. The preferred inorganic matrix is nonacidic.

It is critical to the selective production of aromatics in useful quantities that the conversion catalyst be substantially free of acidity, for example, by poisoning the zeolite with a basic metal, e.g., alkali metal, compound. The zeolite is usually prepared from mixtures containing alkali metal hydroxides and thus have alkali metal contents of about 1-3 weight percent. These high levels of alkali metal, usually sodium or potassium, are unacceptable for most catalytic applications because they greatly deactivate the catalyst for cracking reactions. Usually, the alkali metal is removed to low levels by ion exchange with hydrogen or ammonium ions. By alkali metal compound as used herein is meant elemental or ionic alkali metals or their basic compounds. Surprisingly, unless the zeolite itself is substantially free of acidity, the basic compound is required in the present process to direct the synthetic reactions to aromatics production.

The amount of alkali metal necessary to render the zeolite substantially free of acidity can be calculated using standard techniques based on the aluminum content of the zeolite. Under normal circumstances, the zeolite as prepared and without ion exchange will contain sufficient alkali metal to neutralize the acidity of the catalyst. If a zeolite free of alkali metal is the starting material, alkali metal ions can be ion exchanged into the zeolite to substantially eliminate the acidity of the zeolite. An alkali metal content of about 100%, or greater, of the acid sites calculated on a molar basis is sufficient.

Where the basic metal content is less than 100% of the acid sites on a molar basis, the test described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,394 which patent is incorporated totally herein by reference, can be used to determine if the zeolite is substantially free of acidity.

The preferred alkali metals are sodium, potassium, and cesium. The zeolite itself can be substantially free of acidity only at very high silica:alumina mole ratios; by "zeolite consisting essentially of silica" is meant a zeolite which is substantially free of acidity without base poisoning.

Hydrocarbon cracking stocks can be catalytically cracked in the absence of hydrogen using SSZ-37 at liquid hourly space velocities from 0.5 to 50, temperatures from about 260° F. to 1625° F. and pressures from subatmospheric to several hundred atmospheres, typically from about atmospheric to about atmospheres.

For this purpose, the SSZ-37 catalyst can be composited with mixtures of inorganic oxide supports as well as traditional cracking catalyst.

The catalyst may be employed in conjunction with traditional cracking catalysts, e.g., any aluminosilicate heretofore employed as a component in cracking catalysts. Representative of the zeolitic aluminosilicates disclosed heretofore as employable as component parts of cracking catalysts are Zeolite Y (including steam stabilized chemically modified, e.g., ultra-stable Y), Zeolite X, Zeolite beta (U.S. Patent No. 3,308,069), Zeolite ZK-20 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,727), Zeolite ZSM-3 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,736), faujasite, LZ-10 (U.K. Patent 2,014,970, Jun. 9, 1982), ZSM-5-type zeolites, e.g., ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-38, ZSM-48, crystalline silicates such as silicalite (U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,724), erionite, mordenite, offretite, chabazite, FU-1-type zeolite, NU-type zeolites, LZ-210-type zeolite and mixtures thereof. Traditional cracking catalysts containing amounts of Na₂ O less than about one percent by weight are generally preferred. The relative amounts of the SSZ-37 component and traditional cracking component, if any, Will depend at least in part, on the selected hydrocarbon feedstock and on the desired product distribution to be obtained therefrom, but in all instances an effective amount of SSZ-37 is employed. When a traditional cracking catalyst (TC) component is employed, the relative weight ratio of the TC to the SSZ-37 is generally between about 1:10 and about 500:1, desirably between about 1:10 and about 200:1, preferably between about 1:2 and about 50:1, and most preferably is between about 1:1 and about 20:1.

The cracking catalysts are typically employed with an inorganic oxide matrix component which may be any of the inorganic oxide matrix components which have been employed heretofore in the formulation of FCC catalysts including: amorphous catalytic inorganic oxides, e.g., catalytically active silica-aluminas, clays, silicas, aluminas, silica-aluminas, silica-zirconias, silica-magnesias, alumina-borias, alumina-titanias and the like and mixtures thereof. The traditional cracking component and SSZ-37 may be mixed separately with the matrix component and then mixed or the TC component and SSZ-37 may be mixed and then formed with the matrix component.

The mixture of a traditional cracking catalyst and SSZ-37 may be carried out in any manner Which results in the coincident presence of such in contact with the crude oil feedstock under catalytic cracking conditions. For example, a catalyst may be employed containing the traditional cracking catalyst and a SSZ-37 in single catalyst particles or SSZ-37 with or without a matrix component may be added as a discrete component to a traditional cracking catalyst.

SSZ-37 can also be used to oligomerize straight and branched chain olefins having from about 2 to 21 and preferably 2-5 carbon atoms. The oligomers which are the products of the process are medium to heavy olefins which are useful for both fuels, i.e., gasoline or a gasoline blending stock and chemicals.

The oligomerization process comprises contacting the olefin feedstock in the gaseous state phase with SSZ-37 at a temperature of from about 450° F. to about 1200° F., a WHSV of from about 0.2 to about 50 and a hydrocarbon partial pressure of from about 0.1 to about 50 atmospheres.

Also, temperatures below about 450° F. may be used to oligomerize the feedstock, when the feedstock is in the liquid phase when contacting the zeolite catalyst. Thus, when the olefin feedstock contacts the zeolite catalyst in the liquid phase, temperatures of from about 50° F. to about 450° F., and preferably from 80° F. to 400° F. may be used and a WHSV of from about 0.05 to 20 and preferably 0.1 to 10. It will be appreciated that the pressures employed must be sufficient to maintain the system in the liquid phase. As is known in the art, the pressure will be a function of the number of carbon atoms of the feed olefin and the temperature. Suitable pressures include from about 0 psig to about 3000 psig.

The zeolite can have the original cations associated therewith replaced by a wide variety of other cations according to techniques well known in the art. Typical cations would include hydrogen, ammonium and metal cations including mixtures of the same. Of the replacing metallic cations, particular preference is given to cations of metals such as rare earth metals, manganese, calcium, as well as metals of Group II of the Periodic Table, e.g., zinc, and Group VIII of the Periodic Table, e.g., nickel. One of the prime requisites is that the zeolite have a fairly low aromatization activity, i.e., in which the amount of aromatics produced is not more than about 20% by weight. This is accomplished by using a zeolite with controlled acid activity [alpha value]of from about 0.1 to about 120, preferably from about 0.1 to about 100, as measured by its ability to crack n-hexane.

Alpha values are defined by a standard test known in the art, e.g., as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,978 which is incorporated totally herein by reference. If required, such zeolites may be obtained by steaming, by use in a conversion process or by any other method which may occur to one skilled in this art.

SSZ-37 can be used to convert light gas C₂ -C₆ paraffins and/or olefins to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons o including aromatic compounds. Operating temperatures of 100° C. to 700° C., operating pressures of 0 to 1000 psig and space velocities of 0.5-40 hr⁻¹ WHSV (weight hourly space velocity) can be used to convert the C₂ -C₆ paraffin and/or olefins to aromatic compounds. Preferably, the zeolite will contain a catalyst metal or metal oxide Wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of Groups IB, IIB, VIII and IIIA of the Periodic Table, and most preferably gallium or zinc and in the range of from about 0.05 to 5% by weight.

SSZ-37 can be used to condense lower aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 10 carbon atoms to a gasoline boiling point hydrocarbon product comprising mixed aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon. The condensation reaction proceeds at a temperature of about 500° F. to 1000° F., a pressure of about 0.5 psig to 1000 psig and a space velocity of about 0.5 to 50 WHSV. The process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,107 more specifically describes the process conditions used in this process, which patent is incorporated totally herein by reference.

The catalyst may be in the hydrogen form or may be base exchanged or impregnated to contain ammonium or a metal cation complement, preferably in the range of from about 0.05 to 5% by weight. The metal cations that may be present include any of the metals of the Groups I through VIII of the Periodic Table. However, in the case of Group IA metals, the cation content should in no case be so large as to effectively inactivate the catalyst.

The present catalyst is highly active and highly selective for isomerizing C₄ to C₇ hydrocarbons. The activity means that the catalyst can operate at relatively low temperature which thermodynamically favors highly branched paraffins. Consequently, the catalyst can produce a high octane product. The high selectivity means that a relatively high liquid yield can be achieved when the catalyst is run at a high octane.

The present process comprises contacting the isomerization catalyst with a hydrocarbon feed under isomerization conditions. The feed is preferably a light straight run fraction, boiling within the range of 30° F. to 250° F. and preferably from 60° F. to 200° F. Preferably, the hydrocarbon feed for the process comprises a substantial amount of C₄ to C₇ normal and slightly branched low octane hydrocarbons, more preferably C₅ and C₆ hydrocarbons.

The pressure in the process is preferably between 50 psig and 1000 psig more preferably between 100 psig and 500 psig. The liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) is preferably between about 1 to about 10 with a value in the range of about 1 to about 4 being more preferred. It is also preferable to carry out the isomerization reaction in the presence of hydrogen. Preferably, hydrogen is added to give a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio (H₂ /HC) of between 0.5 and 10 H₂ /HC, more preferably between 1 and 8 H₂ /HC. The temperature is preferably between about 200° F. and about 1000° F., more preferably between 400° F. and 600° F. As is well known to those skilled in the isomerization art, the initial selection of the temperature within this broad range is made primarily as a function of the desired conversion level considering the characteristics of the feed and of the catalyst. Thereafter, to provide a relatively constant value for conversion, the temperature may have to be slowly increased during the run to compensate for any deactivation that occurs.

A low sulfur feed is especially preferred in the present process. The feed preferably contains less than 10 ppm, more preferably less than 1 ppm, and most preferably less than 0.1 ppm sulfur. In the case of a feed which is not already low in sulfur, acceptable levels can be reached by hydrogenating the feed in a presaturation zone with a hydrogenating catalyst which is resistant to sulfur poisoning. An example of a suitable catalyst for this hydrodesulfurization process is an alumina-containing support and a minor catalytic proportion of molybdenum oxide, cobalt oxide and/or nickel oxide. A platinum on alumina hydrogenating catalyst can also work. In which case a sulfur sorber is preferably placed downstream of the hydrogenating catalyst, but upstream of the present isomerization catalyst. Examples of sulfur sorbers are alkali or alkaline earth metals on porous refractory inorganic oxides, zinc, etc. Hydrodesulfurization is typically conducted at 315° C. to 455° C., at 200 psig to 2000 psig, and at a liquid hourly space velocity of 1 to 5.

It is preferable to limit the nitrogen level and the water content of the feed. Catalysts and processes which are suitable for these purposes are known to those skilled in the art.

After a period of operation, the catalyst can become deactivated by sulfur or coke. Sulfur and coke can be removed by contacting the catalyst with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature. If the Group VIII metal(s) have agglomerated, then it can be redispersed by contacting the catalyst with a chlorine gas under conditions effective to redisperse the metal(s). The method of regenerating the catalyst may depend on whether there is a fixed bed, moving bed, or fluidized bed operation. Regeneration methods and conditions are well known in the art.

The conversion catalyst preferably contains a Group VIII metal compound to have sufficient activity for commercial use. By Group VIII metal compound as used herein is meant the metal itself or a compound thereof. The Group VIII noble metals and their compounds, platinum, palladium, and iridium, or combinations thereof can be used. Rhenium and tin may also be used in conjunction with the noble metal. The most preferred metal is platinum. The amount of Group VIII metal present in the conversion catalyst should be within the normal range of use in isomerizing catalysts, from about 0.05 to 2.0 weight percent, preferably 0.2 to 0.8 weight percent.

SSZ-37 can be used in a process for the alkylation or transalkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon. The process comprises contacting the aromatic hydrocarbon with a C₂ to C₁₆ olefin alkylating agent or a polyalkyl aromatic hydrocarbon transalkylating agent, under at least partial liquid phase conditions, and in the presence of a catalyst comprising SSZ-37.

For high catalytic activity, the SSZ-37 zeolite should be predominantly in its hydrogen ion form. Generally, the zeolite is converted to its hydrogen form by ammonium exchange followed by calcination. If the zeolite is synthesized with a high enough ratio of organo-nitrogen cation to sodium ion, calcination alone may be sufficient. It is preferred that, after calcination, at least 80% of the cation sites are occupied by hydrogen ions and/or rare earth ions.

The pure SSZ-37 zeolite may be used as a catalyst, but generally it is preferred to mix the zeolite powder with an inorganic oxide binder such as alumina, silica, silica/alumina, or naturally occurring clays and form the mixture into tablets or extrudates. The final catalyst may contain from 1 to 99 weight percent SSZ-37 zeolite. Usually the zeolite content will range from 10 to 90 weight percent, and more typically from 60 to 80 weight percent. The preferred inorganic binder is alumina. The mixture may be formed into tablets or extrudates having the desired shape by methods well known in the art.

Examples of suitable aromatic hydrocarbon feedstocks which may be alkylated or transalkylated by the process of the invention include aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The preferred aromatic hydrocarbon is benzene. Mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons may also be employed.

Suitable olefins for the alkylation of the aromatic hydrocarbon are those containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms, such as ethylene, propylene, butene-1, trans-butene-2 and cis-butene-2, or mixtures thereof. The preferred olefin is propylene. These olefins may be present in admixture with the corresponding C₂ to C₄ paraffins, but it is preferable to remove any dienes, acetylenes, sulfur compounds or nitrogen compounds which may be present in the olefin feedstock stream, to prevent rapid catalyst deactivation. Longer chain alpha olefins may be used as well.

When transalkylation is desired, the transalkylating agent is a polyalkyl aromatic hydrocarbon containing two or more alkyl groups that each may have from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms. For example, suitable polyalkyl aromatic hydrocarbons include di-, tri- and tetra-alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons, such as diethylbenzene, triethylbenzene, diethylmethylbenzene (diethyltoluene), di-isopropylbenzene, di-isopropyltoluene, dibutylbenzene, and the like. Preferred polyalkyl aromatic hydrocarbons are the dialkyl benzenes. A particularly preferred polyalkyl aromatic hydrocarbon is di-isopropylbenzene.

Reaction products which may be obtained include ethylbenzene from the reaction of benzene with either ethylene or polyethylbenzenes, cumene from the reaction of benzene with propylene or polyisopropylbenzenes, ethyltoluene from the reaction of toluene with ethylene or polyethyltoluenes, cymenes from the reaction of toluene with propylene or polyisopropyltoluenes, and sec-butylbenzene from the reaction of benzene and n-butenes or polybutylbenzenes. The production of cumene from the alkylation of benzene with propylene or the transalkylation of benzene with di-isopropylbenzene is especially preferred.

When alkylation is the process conducted, reaction conditions are as follows. The aromatic hydrocarbon feed should be present in stoichiometric excess. It is preferred that molar ratio of aromatics to olefins be greater than four-to-one to prevent rapid catalyst fouling. The reaction temperature may range from 100° F. to 600° F., preferably 250° F. to 450° F. The reaction pressure should be sufficient to maintain at least a partial liquid phase in order to retard catalyst fouling. This is typically 50 psig to 1000 psig depending on the feedstock and reaction temperature. Contact time may range from 10 seconds to 10 hours, but is usually from 5 minutes to an hour. The weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), in terms of grams (pounds) of aromatic hydrocarbon and olefin per gram (pound) of catalyst per hour, is generally within the range of about 0.5 to 50.

When transalkylation is the process conducted, the molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon will generally range from about 1:1 to 25:1, and preferably from about 2:1 to 20:1. The reaction temperature may range from about 100° F. to 600° F., but it is preferably about 250° F. to 450° F. The reaction pressure should be sufficient to maintain at least a partial liquid phase, typically in the range of about 50 psig to 1000 psig, preferably 300 psig to 600 psig. The weight hourly space velocity will range from about 0.1 to SSZ-37 can also be used as an adsorbent and as a water-softening agent in detergents.

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following examples. They are intended to be purely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

The template of Example 1 is prepared by using a Diels-Alder reaction scheme. Two new bonds and a six-membered ring are formed in the Diels-Alder reaction, formally a [4+2] cyclo addition of a 1,4-conjugated diene with a double bond (dienophile). The co-pending application entitled "Method for Preparing Crystalline Materials Using Aza-Polycyclic Templating Agents", U.S. Ser. No. 07/907,419, describes the use of Diels-Alder chemistry to efficiently synthesize templates for zeolite synthesis. This application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Grams of toluene were mixed with 99.34 grams of N-methylmaleimide. 72.40 Grams of 1,3-cyclohexadiene was added dropwise over a 2-minute period while stirring using a magnetic stir bar. The reaction was heated overnight and monitored by thin layer chromatography on silica (20% EtOAc/hex). TLC indicated the reaction was complete, and therefore it was worked up. Work up consisted of transferring a mixture to a separatory funnel and adding 200 mL of H₂₀. The pH was adjusted to ≦2 with conc. HCl, which gave a slight emulsion. The phases were separated. Another 200 mL of H₂ O was added to the organic layer and the aqueous layer was adjusted to pH 12 with 50% NaOH solution. Phases were separated and the organic phase was dried over MgSO₄. Solids were filtered and the solution concentrated to yield a white solid (162.95 grams, 95.7%).

A 5-liter flask was equipped with a mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser, addition funnel, N₂ inlet, and N₂ outlet. This reaction was run under N₂ atmosphere. The reaction flask was charged with lithium aluminum hydride (102.06 grams, 2.55 mol) and 2413 mL of anhydrous diethyl ether. The addition funnel was charged with the imide from the Diels-Alder reaction (162.85 grams, 0.85 mol) and 1206 mL of methylene chloride. The reaction vessel was cooled in an acetone/dry ice bath (-78° C.) and the imide solution was added to the lithium aluminum hydride solution over 30 minutes. Dry ice was added to the cooling bath to control the exotherm of the reaction. The grey heterogeneous reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature and monitored by thin layer chromatography on silica (40% EtOAc/hex). It was stirred overnight at room temperature.

TLC indicated the reaction was complete, therefore the reaction was worked up. 93.2 mL of H20 were cautiously added to the reaction mixture to decompose the lithium aluminum hydride. This generates hydrogen. This was followed by the slow addition Of 93.2 mL of 15% of aq. NaOH. The ether which evaporated was replaced by methylene chloride. Another 280.2 mL of H₂ O was added and the reaction mixture turned from grey to white. This suspension was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then the solids were removed by vacuum filtration. Solids were washed with methylene chloride. The filtrate was transferred to a 6-liter separatory funnel, and 300 mL of H₂ O were added The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH ≦2 with conc. HCl. The phases were separated and another acidic wash was performed. The combined acidic aqueous layers were then adjusted to pH ≧12 with 50% NaOH solution and saturated with NaCl. This was then extracted four times with 250 mL of ether. The combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂ SO₄, filtered and concentrated to yield 104.89 grams (75.6%) of the amine.

This amine was dissolved in 643 mL of chloroform in a 2-liter flask which was equipped with a magnetic stirrer and addition funnel. This was cooled in an ice/water bath and methyl iodide (183.9 grams, 28 mol) was added over a 60-minute period. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 days, then transferred to an addition funnel. The solution was added dropwise to 2 liters of stirring diethyl ether. The yellow solids were collected by filtration and recrystallized from hot acetone/diethyl ether with a small amount of methanol to afford white crystals of the desired product (180.39 grams, 92.3%). The melting point was determined to be 234° C.-236° C. The C, H and N Values were measured as C, 47.30; H, 6.64; and N, 4.50.

Example 2

140.07 Grams of a 0.46 mol of the product of Example 1 was ion-exchanged with 315 grams of a hydroxide ion-exchange resin (BioRad AG 1-X8) and 400 cc of water to form the hydroxide form of this template. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The solids were removed by filtration and washed. The solution was titrated to determine molarity.

Example 3

4.5 Grams of a 0.66 M solution of Template from Example 2, 2.01 grams of H20, and 0.76 grams of 1.0 N NaOH solution were added to a Teflon cup for a Parr 4745 reactor. 0.74 grams of Cabosil M5 is blended into the solution, followed by the addition of 0.253 grams of Y-zeolite. The reaction was heated to 160° C. and rotated at 43 rpm on a spit in a Blue M oven. After 20 days, a settled product was obtained, and the reaction was filtered, washed repeatedly, and dried to give a product which was determined by X-ray diffraction to be SSZ-37.

Example 4

4.5 Grams of a 0.66 mmol OH /gram solution of Template from Example 2, 2.01 grams of H₂ O, 0.76 grams of 1.0 N NaOH solution and 0.74 grams of Cabosil M5 were mixed in a Teflon cup for a Parr 4745 reactor. 0.179 Grams of SiO₂ (2.99 mmol) and 0.0229 grams of Al₂ O₃ (0.225 mmol) (in the form of Y-zeolite) were added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was seeded with 0.004 grams of SSZ-37 from Example 3. The reactor was sealed in a Parr autoclave and heated to 160° C. and rotated at 43 rpm for 17 days. The product after filtration, washing with distilled water, and drying in air was the crystalline material designated SSZ-37. The product was analyzed and found to have a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ of 60. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-made material is tabulated in Table 3 below.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         2 θ                                                                              d/n           Int.   100 × I/I.sub.o                             ______________________________________                                         6.95    12.72          3     2                                                 7.77    11.38         105    62                                                8.22    10.76         30     18                                                9.50    9.31           7     4                                                 10.47   8.45           7     4                                                 12.85   6.89          16     9                                                 13.94   6.35           5     3                                                 14.58   6.075          5     3                                                 15.02   5.898          6     4                                                 15.62   5.673          6     4                                                 16.08   5.512         23     14                                                16.57   5.350         16     9                                                 17.02   5.209         11     6                                                 17.60   5.039          4     2                                                 19.09   4.649         57     34                                                20.05   4.428                SH                                                20.30   4.374         170    100                                               20.61   4.309                SH                                                20.84   4.262         20     12                                                21.06   4.218         26     15                                                22.14   4.015         125    74                                                22.54   3.945         60     35                                                22.94   3.877         20     12                                                23.26   3.824         10     6                                                 23.61   3.768         43     25                                                24.79   3.591         17     10                                                25.88   3.443         48     28                                                26.53   3.360         37     22                                                27.08   3.293         88     52                                                27.25   3.273                SH                                                27.93   3.194         20     12                                                28.65   3.116          8     5                                                 28.82   3.098         11     6                                                 29.52   3.026          6     4                                                 30.55   2.926         14     8                                                 31.09   2.877          9     5                                                 ______________________________________                                          SH means Shoulder.                                                       

Example 5

4.5 Grams of a 0.66 mmol OH⁻ /gram solution of Template from Example 2, 2.01 grams of H₂ O, 0.76 grams 1.0 N NaOH solution, and 0.80 grams of Cabosil M5 were mixed in a Teflon cup for a Parr 4745 reactor. 0.120 Grams of SiO₂ and 0.0153 grams of Al₂ O₃ (in the form of Y-zeolite) were added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was seeded with 0.004 grams of SSZ-37 from Example 3. The reactor was sealed in a Parr autoclave and heated to 160° C. and rotated at 43 rpm for 17 days. The product after filtration, washing with distilled water, and drying in air was the crystalline material designated SSZ-37. The product was analyzed and found to have a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ of 95.

Example 6

3.70 Grams of a 0.675 mmol OH /gram solution of Template from Example 1, 3.71 grams of H₂ O, 0.5 grams of 1.0 N KOH solution, and 0.0098 grams of Reheis F2000 (hydrated aluminum hydroxide) were mixed in a Teflon reactor. The reagents were stirred until the Reheis dissolved. 0.80 Grams of Cabosil M5 was added to the reaction mixture. The reactor was sealed in a Parr autoclave and heated to 160° C. and rotated at 43 rpm for 31 days. The product after filtration, washing with distilled water, and drying in air was the crystalline material designated SSZ-37. The product was analyzed and found to have a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ of 194.

Example 7

4.5 Grams of a 0.66 mmol OH⁻ /gram solution of Template from Example 1, 2.45 grams of H₂ O, 0.30 grams of 1.0 N NaOH solution, and 0.855 grams Cabosil M5 were mixed in a Teflon reactor. 0.068 Grams of SiO₂ (1.13 mmol), 0.0229 grams of Al₂ O₃ (0.225 mmol), and 0.014 grams of Na₂ O (0.223 mmol) (in the form of Y-zeolite) were added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was seeded with 0.004 grams of SSZ-37. The reactor was sealed in a Parr autoclave and heated to 170° C. and rotated at 43 rpm for 10 days. The product after filtration, washing with distilled water, and drying in air was the crystalline material designated SSZ-37.

Example 8

The crystalline products of Examples 3-7 were subjected to calcination as follows. The samples were heated in a muffle furnace from room temperature up to 540° C. at a steadily increasing rate over a 7-hour period. The samples were maintained at 540° C. for 5 more hours and then taken up to 600° C. for an additional 5 hours. A 50/50 mixture of air and nitrogen was passed over the zeolites at a rate of 20 standard cubic feet per minute during heating. Representative X-ray diffraction data for the calcined product of Example 5 appears in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         2 θ                                                                              d/n           Int.   100 × I/I.sub.o                             ______________________________________                                         7.02    12.59         29     13                                                7.87    11.23         220    100                                               8.29    10.67         100    45                                                9.50    9.31           4      2                                                10.54   8.39          26     12                                                12.88   6.87          40     18                                                13.96   6.34          10      5                                                15.13   5.856          5      2                                                16.17   5.481         12      5                                                17.15   5.170          2      1                                                19.24   4.613         85     39                                                20.15   4.407         22     10                                                20.49   4.334         120    55                                                21.28   4.175         23     10                                                22.32   3.983         90     41                                                22.68   3.921         40     18                                                23.09   3.852         10      5                                                23.88   3.726         35     16                                                24.97   3.566          7      3                                                26.03   3.423         40     18                                                26.72   3.336         30     14                                                27.25   3.273         80     36                                                27.52   3.241         30     14                                                28.18   3.167         15      7                                                29.00   3.079         13      6                                                29.77   3.001          3      1                                                30.83   2.900         10      5                                                ______________________________________                                    

Example 10

The product of Example 5, after sequential treatment as in Example 8, was subjected to a surface area and pore size distribution analysis using N₂ as adsorbate and via the BET method. The surface area of the zeolitic material was 430.2 m² /gm and the micropore volume was 0.1815 cc/gm, showing considerable Void volume.

Example 11 Constraint Index Determination

The hydrogen form of the zeolite of Example 7 (after treatment according to Examples 8 and 9) was pelleted at 2-3 KPSI, crushed and meshed to 20-40, and then 0.50 grams was calcined at 1000° F. air for 4 hours and cooled in desiccator. 0.47 grams was packed into a 3/8" stainless steel tube with alundum on both sides of the zeolite bed. A Lindburg furnace was used to heat the reactor tube. Helium was introduced into the reactor tube at 10 cc/min. and atmospheric pressure. The reactor was taken to 700° F., and a 50/50, w/w feed of n-hexane and 3-methylpentane was introduced into the reactor at a rate of 8 μl//min. Feed delivery was made via Brownlee pump. Direct sampling onto a gas chromatograph began after 10 min. of feed introduction. The constraint index value was calculated from gas chromatographic data using methods known in the art and found to be 1.8. At 700° F. and 40 minutes on-stream, feed conversion was greater than 80%. It can be seen that novel zeolite SSZ-37 has very high cracking activity and is less constrained than a variety of known zeolites.

Example 12

0.75 Grams of the product of Example 9 was treated with palladium.

7.56 Grams of H₂ O was added to 1.77 grams of a 0.148 M NH₄ OH solution and 0.695 grams of a 0.05 M Pd(NH₃)₄ ·2NO₃ solution. 0.75 Grams of the product of Example 9 Was added to the reaction mixture and stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solids were filtered and washed with 1 liter of water and dried and calcined to 900° F. for 3 hours in air. This exchange treatment was designed to yield 0.5 wt. % Pd on the catalyst.

Example 13

The product of Example 10 was treated as in Examples 8, 9 and 12. The catalyst was then calcined slowly up to 900° F. in air and held there for 3 hours. Table 5 gives run conditions and product data for the hydrocracking of n-hexadecane. The catalyst is stable at the temperatures given.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Temperature       470° F.                                                                         570° F.                                       WHSV              1.55    1.55                                                 PSIG              1200    1200                                                 Titrated? (NH.sub.3)                                                                             No      Yes                                                  nC.sub.16 Conversion                                                                             54.6%   92.5%                                                Isom. Select.     20.4    22.8                                                 Crack. Select.    79.6    77.2                                                 C.sub.5 +/C.sub.4.sup.-                                                                          4.6     5.7                                                  C.sub.4 i/n       5.94    4.25                                                 C.sub.5 i/n       6.24    4.69                                                 C.sub.6 i/n       4.71    3.70                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The data show that the catalyst has good hydrocracking activity; in particular, C₄ -C₆ i/n ratios are desirably high. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zeolite having a mole ratio of an oxide selected from silicon oxide, germanium oxide and mixtures thereof to an oxide selected from aluminum oxide, boron oxide, gallium oxide, iron oxide and mixtures thereof between 25:1 and 400:1 and having the X-ray diffraction lines of Table
 2. 2. A zeolite having a composition, as synthesized and in the anhydrous state, in terms of mole ratios of oxides as follows: (0.5 to 10)Q₂ O:(0.1 to 5)M₂ O:W₂ O₃ : (25 to 400) YO₂ wherein M is an alkali metal cation, W is selected from aluminum, boron, gallium, iron and mixtures thereof, Y is selected from silicon, germanium and mixtures thereof, Q is an N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2.6) ] undec-8-ene cation and having the X-ray diffraction lines of Table
 1. 3. The zeolite according to claim 1 or 2 wherein W is aluminum and Y is silicon.
 4. A zeolite prepared by thermally treating the zeolite of claim 3 at a temperature from about 200° C. to 820° C.
 5. The zeolite according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said mole ratio of silicon oxide or germanium oxide to aluminum oxide, gallium oxide, or iron oxide is about 50:1 to
 6. A zeolite according to claim 1 or 2 which has undergone ion exchange with hydrogen, ammonium, rare earth metal, Group IIA metal, or Group VIII metal ions.
 7. A zeolite according to claim 1 or 2 wherein rare earth metals, Group IIA metals, or Group VIII metals are occluded in the zeolite.
 8. A zeolite composition, comprising the zeolite of claim 1 or 2 and an inorganic matrix.
 9. A method for preparing the zeolite of claim 1, comprising:(a) preparing an aqueous mixture containing sources of an alkali metal oxide, an N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2.6) ] undec-8-ene cation, an oxide selected from aluminum oxide, boron oxide, gallium oxide, iron oxide and mixtures thereof, and an oxide selected from silicon oxide, germanium oxide, and mixtures thereof; (b) maintaining the mixture at a temperature of at least 140° C. until the crystals of said zeolite form; and (c) recovering said crystals.
 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the aqueous mixture has a composition in terms of mole ratios of oxides falling in the ranges:

    ______________________________________                                                   Broad            Preferred                                           ______________________________________                                         YO.sub.2 /W.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                  25:1    to 400:1   50:1  to 200:1                                  OH.sup.- /YO.sub.2                                                                         0.10:1  to 0.50:1  0.20:1                                                                               to 0.30:1                                 Q/YO.sub.2  0.10:1  to 0.30:1  0.15:1                                                                               to 0.25:1                                 M.sup.+ /YO.sub.2                                                                          0.01:1  to 0.30:1  0.05:1                                                                               to 0.15:1                                 H.sub.2 O/Si                                                                               15:1    to 50:1    20:1  to 35:1                                   ______________________________________                                    

wherein Q is N,N-dimethyl-4-azoniatricyclo [5.2.2.0.sup.(2,6) ] undec-8-ene, Y is selected from silicon, germanium and mixtures thereof, and W is selected from aluminum, boron, gallium, iron and mixtures thereof.
 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein Y is silicon and W is aluminum. 